[Madison]

I'm specifically considering something like a 7- or 8-speed transmission wherein the third gear or so would be geared so as to overcome static friction and get the machine moving under unstressed conditions. The lower gears would, of course, offer more pushing force and each would be able to start the machine moving as well, while the higher gears would help the robot to accelerate once it's already moving.

Assuming, for the sake of argument, that the torque needed to overcome rolling friction in a typical drivetrain is significantly, measurably smaller than that needed to overcome static friction, it is possible to gear a robot such that it accelerates to a usefully greater speed than is possible from a standstill with a single speed. I was curious if anyone had gone so far as to implement such a system, but since this thread was quiet for so long, it may just be that the typical difference in resistance is not significant enough to warrant such examination.

As an aside, and forgive me a moment if this seems bitter, but I've noticed that often, rather than simply answer the question asked -- even if they don't agree with the implementation -- people offer an unsolicited alternative or outright tell people that something can't be done. Surely, we've seen enough new and interesting implementations of technology in FIRST that we won't keep limiting our imagination to the tried and true.